SAINTS FIRE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AFTER RECORD-SETTING INEPTNESS

The New Orleans Saints have fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo after one season — a record-setting year in the wrong way.

New Orleans ranked last in the NFL in total defense and run defense, yielding the most yards (7,042) ever in a single season. The Saints went 7-9 this season and allowed 454 points; only Tennessee gave up more.

Head coach Sean Payton, who returned to work this week after a season-long suspension, announced Thursday that Spagnuolo was being released. Payton also fired secondary coach Ken Flajole.

“I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season,” Payton said. “Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition.”

Without Payton, who was suspended for his role in the Saints bounty scandal, and with linebacker Jonathan Vilma and end Will Smith in limbo for portions of the schedule while their suspensions were being appealed — and eventually rescinded — the Saints lost their first four games. They gave up at least 27 points 11 times, and surrendered 52 to the Giants, 44 to Carolina, and 40 to Washington.

Spagnuolo was the Rams’ head coach the previous three seasons, going 10-38. He coordinated the Giants’ defense when they ended New England’s unbeaten season to win the 2008 Super Bowl.

Flajole was with Spagnuolo in St. Louis and moved with him to New Orleans last season.

Around the league

Welcome to New York, John Idzik.

Hours after setting foot inside the Jets’ facility for the first time, the general manager managed to upset the team’s best player, Darrelle Revis.

Rather than temper the rumors regarding the Jets’ reported interest in trading the star cornerback, Idzik’s noncommittal stance on Revis’ future only helped to fuel the speculation — and stun Revis.

“Speechless !!!,” Revis tweeted at 1:58 p.m. on Thursday before deleting the message. A few minutes later, Revis, who is rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee, addressed his fans again via Twitter. “I’m speechless by far,” he wrote. “But more importantly I feel more upset for the jet nation for having to go through this!!!

Rumors involving Revis ran rampant Wednesday night, courtesy of a CBS Sports report that said owner Woody Johnson is “very interested” in trading the three-time All-Pro, considered by many to be the league’s top cornerback. Revis can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2013 season, and his contract contains a clause that prohibits the Jets from designating him as their franchise player.

• Jets coach Rex Ryan officially has announced the expected hirings of Marty Mornhinweg as his offensive coordinator and Dennis Thurman as the team’s defensive coordinator.